University of Michigan Offers Free Healthcare Reform Course Online

People interested in cutting through all the information and misinformation about healthcare reform can turn to an online class from the University of Michigan. U of M is offering a free online class to help everyone get a better understanding of US health care reforms.

Credit www.coursera.org/umich

WEMU's Andrew Cluley has more on the Understanding and Improving the US Healthcare System class:

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Andrew Cluley reports

As rollout of portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act continue, many if not most Americans still have questions.

A University of Michigan professor of medicine and public policy is now offering an online class that shares the basic principles that have been used in shaping health care policy over the last several decades.

Doctor Matthew Davis says there is a lot of information out about healthcare reform and people feel very strongly on the issue. Davis explains, the course is designed so anyone should be able to fit it into their schedule. Adding that he's offered classes in health care before in either the medical school or the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, but this online class is a chance to offer the class to a much broader group of people.

Davis says most people have a lot of energy behind their thoughts on healthcare issues, but don't always have accurate information, but efforts to change the system can be boiled down to a few common principles. The course is designed to take three to four hours of work a week and anyone can take the class.

The Medicaid expansion bill signed into law by Gov. Snyder earlier this week will have a major impact on health care in Washtenaw County.

Both it and the upcoming state health insurance marketplace will affect many of the people already receiving coverage through the Washtenaw Health Plan. Many people currently receiving health coverage through the Washtenaw Health Plan will lose that coverage and be required to get it instead through either the newly expanded Medicaid or the upcoming health insurance marketplace.

Krista Nordberg is the Director of Enrollment and Advocacy at Washtenaw Health Plan. She says there will likely be timing issues with these changes.

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Norberg explains that there's all hands on deck in preparation of this plan.

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The Washtenaw Health Plan helps people get the health care services they need, like doctor and clinic visits, outpatient lab and X-ray tests, prescriptions, hospitalization and mental health services.